Adrian High School moves toward equipping all students with iPads

ADRIAN — The Adrian school board will vote Monday on a plan to equip all students at Adrian High School with iPad tablet computers.

The plan is funded by the high school’s federal school improvement grant. The total cost, which includes the purchase of 980 iPads and related equipment, is about $445,000.

Superintendent Chris Timmis said all students will use the tablets in the classroom, and those who want to take the iPads home at night can do so if they purchase an insurance policy for $40 per year.

According to a report presented by school staff at the Jan. 22 board meeting, schools implementing a 1:1 plan like the one proposed for AHS have seen increases in graduation rates and test scores and decreases in disciplinary action and dropout rates. The plan is also intended to improve students’ workflow and productivity and make collaborative work easier.

Down the road, Timmis said, graduating seniors will be able to purchase the iPads they’ve been using at a discount. He said this, in addition to local donations the

districts is working to line up, will help make the program sustainable even when the initial grant funding is no longer available.

The school board will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, in the Adrian High School cafeteria. Also on the agenda is the addition of new International Baccalaureate classes to the high school curriculum.